In honor of Women’s History Month, ZAGO, a manufacturer of sustainable sealing fasteners and switch boots in Newark, NJ, is proud to share stories of female success (see below!).

ZAGO is a woman-owned company and currently employs 35 women and men hailing from different backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities. Out of eight management-level positions, females occupy six of the roles.

“There are many qualified women in manufacturing and in other industries who can excel in this sector – but they have to see themselves in these positions,” said co-founder and CEO, Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich.

She started ZAGO with her husband, Harvey Rottenstrich, an electrical engineer who now severs as company president and lead engineer. Read more about how ZAGO got its start here.

Here are a few of the female-empowered members that help comprise the ZAGO team…

Sonia Letona, Quality-Control Manager, Guatemala. Letona moved to America 15 years ago and landed her first job at ZAGO working the assembly line, and has excelled. She’s since become a mom and now leads a seven-member team at the company. When asked about how she rose to her position, Letona said: “I love learning. I ask lots of questions, and I care about helping our customers.”

Aly Damacela, Contract Reviewer/ Buyer, Ecuador. Damacela joined ZAGO 10 years ago and has since earned her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Kean University and became a mom. “At ZAGO, I can be a mother and grow my career. ZAGO even paid my college tuition.”

Viviana Alvarez, Purchasing and Expediting, Colombia. Alvarez’s ZAGO career began in 2018 in shipping before working her way up to purchasing and expediting. She appreciates the family feel ZAGO provides. “I love working at ZAGO. We’re more than colleagues, we’re family.”

Stephanie Carhuavilca, Machine Programmer, Honduras. Carhuavilca joined ZAGO in 2021 ready to learn. She quickly progressed from manual machine operator to set-up/programmer. Carhuavilca is completing an apprenticeship and will earn 12 college credits towards her associate’s degree.

Jackie Luciano, Vice President, Newark, NJ. Luciano joined ZAGO 15 years ago as a part-time bookkeeper while raising two young children and advanced to executive leadership after earning her Rutgers MBA in Finance. “ZAGO is a great place for women and men to work and flourish, and that’s exactly what the co-founders envisioned.”